Method of regulating body temperature

ABSTRACT

A method of regulating body temperature that involves (i) determining, via processing circuitry, if sensor data from a plurality of sensors is in a predetermined normal range, (ii) converting the sensor data to fuzzy values when the sensor data is not in the predetermined normal range, (iii) combining one or more related consequents of the predetermined fuzzy rules, (iv) evaluating the combined consequents to determine a centroid value using a centroid method; and (v) transmitting the centroid value to a thermal management system to activate the thermal management system to a predetermined activation level based on the centroid value, wherein the plurality of sensors include a core temperature sensor, a skin temperature sensor, a skin blood flow sensor, a cardiac output sensor, a neuromuscular activity output sensor, an electromyography sensor, a vibration sensor, and an imaging device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of Ser. No. 15/010,737 havinga filing date of Jan. 29, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description which may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentinvention.

Thermoregulation in humans includes a temperature range for a coretemperature, where the core comprises internal organs (including thebrain), and a specific temperature range for a shell, where the shellcomprises skin and extremeties (hands, legs, nose, ears, etc.).

In humans, the hypothalamus regulates the core temperature within anarrow range, approximately 36.1° C. to 37.8° C. (96.98° F. to 100.04°F.). In other words, the hypothalamus functions as a thermostat presetat 37° C., and maintains this core temperature range by constantlyregulating production and loss of heat.

Body heat is generated by the catabolism of intracellular proteins,carbohydrates, and fats provided by our nutrition. The body heat can befurther increased by increased muscle activity, such as during exercise.

The daily excess heat production is eliminated along a gradient oftemperature between core (37° C.), the skin (33° C.) and environment ifit is less than 33° C. The heat is transported by the blood to the skinand then dissipated to the environment. The hypothalamus adjusts theheat loss by regulating the skin and the core circulation. For example,if there is excess heat production, the hypothalamus closes(vasoconstriction) the core circulation and opens (vasodilate) the skincirculation, which shifts up to 70% of our cardiac output away from thecore organs (except heart and brain). It also increases the cardiacoutput from 5 liters per min to up to 20 liters per min when exercisingin high ambient temperature.

Conversely, in a situation with a low environmental temperature, theskin temperature drops and thermoreceptors on the skin send signals tothe hypothalamus, which immediately reacts by insulating the body viaclosure of the skin circulation. Our extremities (fingers, nose, ears,etc.) may become blue and painful. If this action is not sufficient tomaintain the core temperature at 37° C., the hypothalamus triggersmuscle shivering which produces heat.

Exposure to a hot environment may result in heatstroke, which is alife-threatening condition characterized by a rapid increase in coretemperature, multiple organ dysfunction, and tissue injury. It is aleading cause of mortality and neurological damage when there is anunaccustomed and sustained increase in climatic temperature, such asduring a heat wave, and/or any prolonged exposure without properprecautions. Hyperthermia is the primary mechanism of cell death andtissue injury in heatstroke. The severity of injury is a function of thedegree of hyperthermia and duration of exposure. An objective in thetreatment of hyperthermia is to decrease body temperature as quickly aspossible to prevent irreversible damage and death. Cooling techniquescan induce severe shivering and skin vasoconstriction, which canincrease heat production and decrease heat elimination resulting in theopposite of the desired cooling effect. Also, the rate of cooling can beunpredictable, varying from failure to cool to excessive cooling.

SUMMARY

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of generalintroduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages,will be best understood by reference to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

A system for regulating body temperature for a human can be anartificial hypothalamus. According to one or more embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter, the artificial hypothalamus can simultaneouslymonitor skin temperature, circulation, muscle activity, and the like.The combined signals can allow the artificial hypothalamus react morequickly than the patient's hypothalamus. For example, the artificialhypothalamus can stop rapid cooling and begin warming the skin tomaintain skin temperature at 32° C. to 33° C., thereby preventing thepatient's thermoreceptors from sending signals to the patient'shypothalamus, which reacts by vasoconstriction and shivering, whichstops the cooling effect and increases heat production (i.e., theopposite of the desired cooling). When the skin is warm, the artificialhypothalamus can cause cooling to begin again, thereby creating a warmand cold cycle, which prevents the patient's hypothalamus from reactingnegatively. Therefore, cooling can be efficient, predictable, and welltolerated by the patient (e.g., prevent shivering, discomfort, etc.).

The system can include monitoring data from a plurality of sensors. Thesensor data can be used in a control system to optimize temperatureregulation in real time through a feedback loop. The control system canbe, but is not limited to, a Fuzzy Logic-based-system, for example. Thefeedback loop can include monitoring the sensor data, evaluating apredetermined set of fuzzy rules using the data, and combining theoutput of the fuzzy rules to produce a precise value. The precise valuecan correspond to an output level for various temperature regulationdevices, and a signal can be transmitted based on the precise value toactivate the temperature regulation devices to a corresponding level ofoutput.

The system can maintain optimal cooling by accounting for the humanthermoregulatory response mechanisms, such that the optimal cooling canprevent and/or minimize skin vasoconstriction and shivering, whileconstantly adjusting for the best gradient of temperature to eliminatestored heat, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary overview of the temperature regulationsystem.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary overview of the control system for thetemperature regulation system.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary overview of the thermal management system.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary overview of the plurality of sensors.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary overview of the membership functions forinput variables.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary overview of the Fuzzy Logic System.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary hardware description for the control system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method of regulatingtemperature for a human.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method of determiningoptimal temperature regulation by identifying an illness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawingsis intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter and is not necessarily intended to represent the onlyembodiment(s). In certain instances, the description includes specificdetails for the purpose of providing an understanding of the disclosedsubject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Insome instances, well-known structures and components may be shown inblock diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of thedisclosed subject matter.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic,operation, or function described in connection with an embodiment isincluded in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.Thus, any appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in anembodiment” in the specification is not necessarily referring to thesame embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures,characteristics, operations, or functions may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more embodiments. Further, it is intended thatembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can and do covermodifications and variations of the described embodiments.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. That is, unless clearlyspecified otherwise, as used herein the words “a” and “an” and the likecarry the meaning of “one or more.” Additionally, terms such as “first,”“second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions,components, points of reference, operations and/or functions asdescribed herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter to any particular configuration ororientation.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 depicts an artificial hypothalamus system, hereby referred to astemperature regulation system 100, configured to regulate thetemperature of a patient as further described herein. The temperatureregulation system 100 can include a plurality of sensors 110, a controlsystem 130, a thermal management system 140, and a power source 150. Thetemperature regulation system 100 can be communicably coupled to atemperature regulation device 120, such that the temperature regulationsystem 100 can be integrated into any temperature regulation device 120.

The plurality of sensors 110 can provide various sensor output to thecontrol system 130, as further described herein.

The temperature regulation device 120 can be any device configured toregulate a temperature of a human, for example. The temperatureregulation device 120 can regulate temperature with external watercirculation, such as the Blanketrol II, external air circulation, suchas the Caircooler CC1000, external water circulation using self-adhesivegel-coated pads, such as the Arctic Sun, and/or intravascular heatexchange, such as Icy-catheter, for example. It should be appreciatedthat the temperature regulation system 100 can be integrated into anytemperature regulation device 120.

The control system 130 can communicably couple the plurality of sensors110, the temperature regulation device 120, the thermal managementsystem 140, and the power source 150.

The thermal management system 140 can activate various temperatureadjustment mechanisms to predetermined levels of output based on signalsfrom the control system 130, thereby changing the temperature of thehuman in order to regulate the temperature of the human, as furtherdescribed herein. It should be appreciated that the temperatureadjustment mechanism may be mechanisms previously incorporated into thetemperature regulation device 120, or may be originally part of thetemperature regulation system 100.

The power source 150 can provide power to the temperature regulationsystem 100. Optionally, or additionally, the power source 150 canprovide power to the temperature regulation device 120.

FIG. 2 depicts the control system 130 of the temperature regulationsystem 100. The control system 130 can include a control circuit 205that can be disposed within the temperature regulation system 100. Thecontrol circuit 205 can be configured to receive data and/or to monitor,record, store, index, process, and/or communicate such data. The controlcircuit 205 can include components such as, for example, a memory, acentral processing unit (CPU), Input/Output (I/O) devices or any othercomponents that can be used to run an application. The control circuit205 can be programmed to execute a set of predetermined instructions.Such instructions can be stored in the memory. Various lookup tables,maps, and mathematical equations can also be stored in the memory.However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that such informationcan be stored on or read from various types of computer-readable media,such as secondary storage devices, including hard disks, floppy disks,optical media, CD-ROM, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Various other knowncircuits can also be associated with the control circuit 205, such aspower supply circuitry, signal-conditioning circuitry, solenoid drivercircuitry, communication circuitry, and the like. It should beappreciated that the control circuit 205 can alternatively includemultiple controllers, each dedicated to perform one or more of these orother functions. Such multiple controllers can be configured tocommunicate and cooperate with one another.

The control circuit 205 is communicably coupled to a plurality ofsensors 110 of the control system 130. Each of the sensors 110 can beconfigured to provide signals indicative of parameters related to thecurrent environment of the temperature regulation system 100. Thesensors 110 can be disposed at various locations in the temperatureregulation system 100.

The control system 130 is also communicably coupled to the temperatureregulation device 120, the thermal management system 140, and a wirelessreceiver/transmitter 210.

The wireless receiver/transmitter 210 can facilitate communicationsbetween the control system 130 and the temperature regulation system100.

The temperature regulation system 100 also includes a power source 150configured to provide power to the various components of the temperatureregulation system 100 including the control system 130, to thetemperature regulation device 120, the thermal management system 140,and the wireless receiver/transmitter 210. The power source 150 can bedisposed within the temperature regulation system 100. The power source150 can include one or more rechargeable batteries and/or electricalwiring that can connect to an electrical outlet or a generator, forexample, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In anexemplary embodiment, the control circuit 205 can be configured toregulate a power supplied by the power source 150 to the variouscomponents of the temperature regulation system 100. Further, thecontrol circuit 205 can be configured to determine a level of electricalenergy stored in the power source 150.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary overview of the thermal management system140. The thermal management system 140 can include a fan 305 and atemperature adjustment mechanism 310. The fan 305 can blow air to changethe temperature of the human. For example, cold water can be sprayed onthe human and the fan can blow hot air to create evaporation, as wouldbe known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The temperature adjustment mechanism 310 can change the temperature ofthe human in order to regulate the temperature of the human. Forexample, the temperature adjustment mechanism 310 can be a coolingblanket, a water circulation device, an intravascular heat exchangesystem, and the like. It should be appreciated that the temperatureadjustment mechanism 310 can be the temperature regulation device 120,such that the temperature regulation device 120 can be part of thethermal management system 140.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary overview of the plurality of sensors 110.The plurality of sensors 110 includes a core temperature (Tc) sensor405, a skin temperature (Ts) sensor 410, a skin blood flow (Sb) sensor415, a cardiac output (Co) sensor 420, and a neuromuscular activityoutput (No) sensor 425. Each sensor can be disposed at a predeterminedlocation on a human, for example, to monitor various outputs, such thateach sensor can monitor a predetermined type of output. For example, thecore temperature sensor 405 can be a thermometer used to measure coretemperature, the skin temperature sensor 410 can be a thermocouple tomeasure skin temperature through the thermoelectric effect, the skinblood flow sensor 415 can be an ultrasonic flow meter that measures thevelocity of a fluid using ultrasound, the cardiac output sensor 420 canbe an echocardiogram to calculate cardiac output, and the neuromuscularactivity output sensor 425 can be an acceleromyograph to measure theforce produced by a muscle after it has undergone nerve stimulation. Itshould be appreciated that other sensors may be able to perform themeasurements of the core and skin temperature, the skin blood flow, thecardiac output, and the neuromuscular activity output, and the sensorsdescribed herein are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary overview of the membership functions forinput variables. FIG. 5 illustrates a Gaussian representation of theinput variables for core temperature (Tc) 405 and skin temperature (Ts)410. Membership is evaluated on the y-axis from 0 to 1, and the x-axiscorresponds to a range of predetermined temperature values. It should beappreciated that membership functions for input variables other thantemperature may be represented using other functions such as Sigmoid,S-shape, Trapezoid, Triangular, or a custom defined function as would beknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the x-axis can beset to correspond to any predetermined range of input values.

The membership functions can be evaluated using information from a tableof linguistic variables corresponding to each input, and a table ofexemplary fuzzy rules, as described herein.

Table 1 can be a table of linguistic variables corresponding to eachinput, the input being a value corresponding to the output of one of theplurality of sensors 110.

TABLE 1 Tc Ts Sb Co No Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Heat (EH)Heat (EH) High (EH) High (EH) High (EH) High Heat High Heat Very HighVery High Very High (HH) (HH) (VH) (VH) (VH) Light Heat Light Heat High(HI) High (HI) High (HI) (LH) (LH) Normal Normal Normal (NO) Normal (NO)Normal (NO) (NO) (NO) Light Cold Light Cold Low (LO) Low (LO) Low (LO)(LC) (LC) High Cold High Cold Very Low Very Low Very Low (HC) (HC) (VL)(VL) (VL) Extreme Extreme Extreme Low Extreme Low Extreme Low Cold (EC)Cold (EC) (EL) (EL) (EL)

It should be appreciated that any abbreviation can be used as apredetermined identifier and the abbreviations included herein are notintended to be the only possible identifiers for any specific values.

It should further be appreciated that EL/EC is intended to represent“Extremely Low” or “Extremely Cold”, respectively, and is illustrated assuch simply to capture grammatical discrepancies as one might not saycardiac output (Co) is “Extremely Cold”, but would rather moreaccurately describe cardiac output as “Extremely Low”, for example.Therefore, it should be appreciated that EL/EC can equally represent thecorresponding membership function, and the same can apply to VL/HC,LO/LC, LH/HI, and VH/HH as seen in Table 1.

Additionally, Table 2 can be a table of exemplary fuzzy rules where Torefers to output temperature for the temperature adjustment mechanism310, and Sp refers to fan speed for the fan 305. The fuzzy rules can beused to evaluate the relationship between the linguistic variables, suchthat the linguistic variables evaluated in each fuzzy rule aredetermined by evaluating the membership functions in FIG. 5. Forexample, a predetermined temperature can be used as an inputcorresponding to a point on the x-axis. The predetermined temperaturecan be used to evaluate a level of membership (y-axis) for eachmembership function.

TABLE 2 Rule Tc Ts Sb Co No To Sp 1 If EC and EC and VL and VL and VHthen VH and VH 2 If EC and EC and VL or VL or VH then HI and VH 3 If ECand LC And NO and NO and LO then HI and NO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It should be appreciated that more fuzzy rules can be added to create amore robust fuzzy rule set, as would be known to one of ordinary skillin the art. Rules 1-3 are intended to be the start of a fuzzy rule setsuch that the fuzzy rules can be used to evaluate a broader range ofresults from the evaluation of the membership functions.

It should also be appreciated that there may be output signals otherthan output temperature (To) and fan speed (Sp) used to regulatetemperature. For example, cold water circulation could be a mechanismfor temperature regulation and would have additional parametersincluding water temperature and water speed.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary overview of a Fuzzy Logic System using fuzzylogic rules. The control system 130, via processing circuitry, canutilize the Fuzzy Logic System to determine optimal cooling, therebydetermining the appropriate output for the thermal management system140. The fuzzy logic rules depicted in FIG. 6 are Rule 1, Rule 2, andRule 3 from Table 2. The Fuzzy Logic System can map the non-linear inputdatasets to predetermined output states. For example, the temperatureregulation system 100 can act as a regulator to regulate bodytemperature according to predefined membership functions. The FuzzyLogic System can include initialization, where initialization caninclude defining linguistic variables (Table 1), constructing membershipfunctions (FIG. 5), and constructing a rule base (Table 2). Next, theFuzzy Logic System can include fuzzification, where fuzzification can beconverting input data to fuzzy values by evaluating the membershipfunctions. Further, the Fuzzy Logic System can include inference, whereinference can include evaluating the fuzzy rules. Finally, the FuzzyLogic System can include defuzzification, where deffuzification can beconverting one or more consequents of the fuzzy rules to non-fuzzyvalues. The non-fuzzy values can be precise values corresponding to aprecise power output for the fan 305, for example.

A Rule 1 antecedent 605 can receive sensor output from Tc 405, Tc 410,Sb 415, Co 420, and No 425. The Rule 1 antecedent 605 can be evaluatedto determine a first Rule 1 consequent 620 and a second Rule 1consequent 625 following the corresponding Rule 1 from Table 2.Similarly, a Rule 2 antecedent 610 can receiver sensor output, and theRule 2 antecedent 610 can be evaluated to determine a first Rule 2consequent 630 and second Rule 2 consequent 635. Additionally, followingthe same steps as Rule 1 and Rule 2, a Rule 3 antecedent 615 can receivesensor output, and the Rule 3 antecedent 615 can be evaluated todetermine a first Rule 3 consequent 640 and a second Rule 3 consequent645.

The first Rule 1 consequent 620, the first Rule 2 consequent 630, andthe first Rule 3 consequent 640 can be combined for defuzzification 650.The deffuzification 650 can be the centroid method, for example, whichcan determine a precise output value based on the consequents. Forexample, the first Rule 1 consequent 620, the first Rule 2 consequent630, and the first Rule 3 consequent 640 can correspond to outputtemperatures (To) for the temperature adjustment mechanism 310 of VH,HI, and HI, respectively. The results, VH, HI, and HI, can be evaluatedusing the centroid method, for example, as would be known to one ofordinary skill in the art, to determine a precise weighted value for theoutput temperature (To) for the temperature adjustment mechanism 310.

It should be appreciated that the deffuzification 650 is not limited tothe centroid method. For example, deffuzification 650 can include abisector of area method, a middle of maximum method, a least of maximummethod, a first of maximum method, and the like.

Similarly, a precise weighted value for the fan speed (Sp) for the fan305 can be determined through the centroid method, for example, usingthe second Rule 1 consequent 625, the second Rule 2 consequent 635, andthe second Rule 3 consequent 645.

Next, a hardware description of the control system 130 according toexemplary embodiments is described with reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7,the control system 130 includes a CPU 700 which performs the processesdescribed herein. The process data and instructions may be stored inmemory 702. These processes and instructions may also be stored on astorage medium disk 704 such as a hard drive (HDD) or portable storagemedium or may be stored remotely. Further, the claimed advancements arenot limited by the form of the computer-readable media on which theinstructions of the inventive process are stored. For example, theinstructions may be stored on CDs, DVDs, in FLASH memory, RAM, ROM,PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disk or any other information processingdevice with which the control system 130 communicates, such as a serveror computer.

Further, the claimed advancements may be provided as a utilityapplication, background daemon, or component of an operating system, orcombination thereof, executing in conjunction with CPU 700 and anoperating system such as Microsoft Windows 7, UNIX, Solaris, LINUX,Apple MAC-OS and other systems known to those skilled in the art.

The hardware elements in order to achieve the control system 130 may berealized by various circuitry elements, known to those skilled in theart. For example, CPU 700 may be a Xenon or Core processor from Intel ofAmerica or an Opteron processor from AMD of America, or may be otherprocessor types that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in theart. Alternatively, the CPU 700 may be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, PLDor using discrete logic circuits, as one of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize. Further, CPU 700 may be implemented as multipleprocessors cooperatively working in parallel to perform the instructionsof the inventive processes described above.

The control system 130 in FIG. 7 also includes a network controller 706,such as an Intel Ethernet PRO network interface card from IntelCorporation of America, for interfacing with network 77. As can beappreciated, the network 77 can be a public network, such as theInternet, or a private network such as an LAN or WAN network, or anycombination thereof and can also include PSTN or ISDN sub-networks. Thenetwork 77 can also be wired, such as an Ethernet network, or can bewireless such as a cellular network including EDGE, 3G and 4G wirelesscellular systems. The wireless network can also be WiFi, Bluetooth, orany other wireless form of communication that is known.

The control system 130 further includes a display controller 708, suchas a NVIDIA GeForce GTX or Quadro graphics adaptor from NVIDIACorporation of America for interfacing with display 710, such as aHewlett Packard HPL2445w LCD monitor. A general purpose I/O interface712 interfaces with a keyboard and/or mouse 714 as well as a touchscreen panel 716 on or separate from display 710. General purpose I/Ointerface also connects to a variety of peripherals 718 includingprinters and scanners, such as an OfficeJet or DeskJet from HewlettPackard.

A sound controller 720 is also provided in the control system 130, suchas Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium from Creative, to interface withspeakers/microphone 722 thereby providing sounds and/or music.

The general purpose storage controller 724 connects the storage mediumdisk 704 with communication bus 726, which may be an ISA, EISA, VESA,PCI, or similar, for interconnecting all of the components of thecontrol system 130. A description of the general features andfunctionality of the display 710, keyboard and/or mouse 714, as well asthe display controller 708, storage controller 724, network controller706, sound controller 720, and general purpose I/O interface 712 isomitted herein for brevity as these features are known.

Next, FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary algorithmic flowchart forregulating the temperature of a human in real time according to oneaspect of the present disclosure. The hardware description herein,exemplified by the structure example shown in FIG. 7 constitutes orincludes specialized corresponding structure that is programmed orconfigured to perform the algorithm shown in FIG. 8. For example, thealgorithm shown in FIG. 8 may be performed by the circuitry included inthe single device shown in FIG. 7, or the algorithm may be performed ina shared manner distributed over the circuitry of any plurality ofdevice.

In S800, it can be determined if the sensor data from the plurality ofsensors 110 is within a predetermined normal range. For example, thecore temperature (Tc) sensor 405 might say 98.6° F., which would beconsidered a normal core body temperature. Alternatively, the coretemperature (Tc) sensor 405 might say 103° F. which is widely acceptedas not being within a normal range for core body temperature. The sensordata can be monitored continuously as part of a feedback loop. If thesensor data from the plurality of sensors 110 is within a normal range,then the process can end. However, if the sensor data from the pluralityof sensors 110 is not within a normal range, then the sensor data can beconverted to fuzzy values in S805.

In S805, the sensor data can be converted to fuzzy values(fuzzification) using the membership functions depicted in FIG. 5, forexample. The precise sensor data can be converted to fuzzy values bydetermining the degree of membership for which the sensor data belongsto each membership function.

In S810, the fuzzy values can be evaluated using predetermined fuzzyrules, such that the fuzzy values are the antecedent of the fuzzy rules.The consequent of the fuzzy rules can be determined based on theevaluation of the antecedent. In other words, it can be determined towhat degree of membership do the fuzzy values belong to all theconditions in the antecedent.

In S815, the related consequents from all the fuzzy rules can becombined, as depicted in the defuzzification 650 in FIG. 6. Eachconsequent can correspond to a degree of membership in an outputfunction, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, suchthat the combination of the consequents results in a fuzzy set. Thefuzzy set can be the combination of the restricted membership functions,such that the restricted membership functions are the membershipfunctions evaluated to a degree of membership based on the consequentsof the fuzzy rules.

In S820, the combined consequents can be evaluated using the centroidmethod to determine a centroid of the restricted membership functions.The centroid method can be used to determine a center of mass, as wouldbe known by one of ordinary skill in the art, to produce a preciseweighted value.

In S825, the centroid value can be transmitted to the thermal managementsystem 140. The centroid value can be used by the thermal managementsystem 140 to activate the fan 305, for example, to a specific poweroutput that corresponds to a specific fan speed. After the centroidvalue is transmitted to the thermal management system 140, the processcan return to S800 to continue a feedback loop providing real timetemperature regulation for a human until the sensor data is in apredetermined normal range.

In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, theplurality of sensors 110 can include an electromyography sensor, avibration sensor (e.g., accelerometer), and an imaging device 728 asillustrated in FIG. 7. The electromyography sensor (EMG) can measure theelectrical signals of muscle activity, which can detect shivering, forexample. Similarly, the vibration sensor can detect a mechanicalresponse of the human shivering by detecting movement of the human.Additionally, the imaging device 728 can detect visible tremors that maybe associated with shivering. The imaging device 728 may be usedindividually or in combination with one or more of the electromyographysensor and the vibration sensor. The electromyography sensor, thevibration sensor, and the imaging device can be used to identifyshivering and send a signal to the control system 130 to adjust thethermal management system 140 accordingly to prevent shivering, skinvasoconstriction, and the like while continuing to cool the human asquickly as possible to prevent irreversible damage or death.

In one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the inputfor the thermal management system 140 can be a predetermined illness(post-cardiac arrest) or condition (e.g., measles, chicken pox, staphinfection, etc.) enter by a physician, for example. The illness orcondition can correspond to a predetermined cooling profile. Before afinal diagnosis can occur confirming the illness or condition, thephysician can enter a plurality of potential illnesses or conditions apatient may have, and the control system 130 can combine thepredetermined cooling profiles, using the centroid method, for example,until a final confirmed diagnosis can be made by the physician.Therefore, the temperature regulation system 100 can operate by treatingan illness and/or condition rather than treating one or more symptoms.

Next, FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary algorithmic flowchart fordetermining a temperature regulation profile based on a plurality ofpotential illnesses.

In S905, it can be determined if there are a plurality of potentialconditions and/or illness as determined by a physician with respect to apatient, for example. If there is not a plurality of illnesses, theprocess can continue to S930 to activate a predetermined temperatureregulation profile associated with that identified condition and/orillness. However, if a single condition and/or illness of the patientcannot be identified by the physician, then an input corresponding toeach potential illness can be received in S910.

In S910, the physician can input each of the plurality of potentialillnesses before the physician has time to determine the finaldiagnosis. In many cases, it may be beneficial to begin temperatureregulation immediately before the physician can take the time to fullydiagnose the patient with one condition and/or illness. Therefore, eachcondition and/or illness can have an associated temperature regulationprofile. The temperature regulation profile associated with a specificcondition and/or illness may have been determined by averaging all thetemperature regulation profiles, as determined in response to theplurality of sensors 110, of patients with the same condition and/orillness. After each potential illness has been received, the temperatureregulation profiles can be combined in S915.

In S915, the temperature regulation profiles corresponding to each ofthe received conditions and/or illnesses can be combined. An averagetemperature regulation profile, wherein the average temperatureregulation profile is a predetermined combination of the temperatureregulation profiles associated with each condition and/or illness, canbe determined via the centroid method, for example.

In S920, the average temperature regulation profile can be activated totreat the patient.

In S925, it can be determined if one identified illness has beenconfirmed, or diagnosed, by the physician, for example. If there has notbeen a confirmed single diagnosis, the process can return to S920 tocontinue administering the average temperature regulation profile.However, if a single illness has been identified, or diagnosed, thepredetermined temperature regulation profile corresponding to theidentified illness and/or condition can be activated in S930. Therefore,the patient can be treated in response to the condition and/or illness,rather than the symptoms. After the predetermined temperature regulationprofile associated with the single identified condition and/or illnesshas been activated, the process can end.

An advantage of the temperature regulation system 100 can be to maintainoptimal cooling with limited or no adverse effects, wherein the adverseeffects can include shivering and skin vasoconstriction. Consequences ofthese adverse effects can include discomfort, hypertension, andsympathetic nervous system activation. The temperature regulation system100 can eliminate or significantly reduce the adverse effects, improveblood flow, and therefore improve temperature regulation efficiency andpatient comfort through real time temperature regulation.

More specifically, an advantage is to create an artificial hypothalamusvia system 100. For example, when the cooling process begins, such asusing ice on the skin or a cooling blanket (via temperature adjustmentmechanism 310, for example), the skin can be cooled rapidly. However,when skin temperature has decreased below 32° C. to 33° C.,thermoreceptors in the patient send signals to the hypothalamus, therebycausing vasoconstriction and shivering which stops the cooling effectand creates a paradoxical response which maintains high coretemperature. The one or more embodiments disclosed herein, via theartificial hypothalamus, can monitor skin temperature, circulation,muscle activity, and the like to maintain skin temperature at 32° C. to33° C. to prevent adverse effects including vasoconstrictions andshivering, thereby maintaining efficient, predictable, and welltolerated temperature regulation.

Having now described embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing ismerely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way ofexample only. Thus, although particular configurations have beendiscussed herein, other configurations can also be employed. Numerousmodifications and other embodiments (e.g., combinations, rearrangements,etc.) are enabled by the present disclosure and are within the scope ofone of ordinary skill in the art and are contemplated as falling withinthe scope of the disclosed subject matter and any equivalents thereto.Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged,omitted, etc., within the scope of the invention to produce additionalembodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used toadvantage without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly,Applicant(s) intend(s) to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of thedisclosed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of regulating body temperature,comprising: determining, via processing circuitry, if sensor data from aplurality of sensors is in a predetermined normal range; converting thesensor data to fuzzy values when the sensor data is not in thepredetermined normal range; combining one or more related consequents ofthe predetermined fuzzy rules; evaluating the combined consequents todetermine a centroid value using a centroid method; transmitting thecentroid value to a thermal management system to activate the thermalmanagement system to a predetermined activation level based on thecentroid value; wherein the sensor data includes data from a pluralityof sensors including a core temperature sensor, a skin temperaturesensor, a skin blood flow sensor, a cardiac output sensor, aneuromuscular activity output sensor an electromyography sensor, avibration sensor, and an imaging device; and wherein the thermalmanagement system is configured to apply optimal temperature regulationvia one or more of a fan and a temperature adjustment mechanism.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: detecting visible movementassociated with shivering via the imaging device.
 3. The method of claim2, further comprising: detecting shivering independently via the imagingdevice, or in combination with one or more of the electromyographysensor and the vibration sensor.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: monitoring continuously the sensor data from the pluralityof sensors and any indication of shivering from the imaging device aspart of a feedback loop.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:optimizing temperature regulation to prevent shivering and skinvasoconstriction via the feedback loop.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining, via processing circuitry, if aplurality of predetermined temperature regulation profiles have beenreceived as input to a control system, wherein each predeterminedtemperature regulation profile is associated with an identifiedpotential illness; combining the plurality of predetermined temperatureregulation profiles to create an average predetermined temperatureregulation profile when the control system receives a plurality ofpredetermined temperature regulation profiles as input; activating theaverage predetermined temperature regulation profile; determining, viaprocessing circuitry, if a single illness has been identified; andactivating the predetermined temperature regulation profilecorresponding to the single identified illness when the single illnesshas been identified.